The evolution of HCV treatment in Taiwan

Abstract

The treatment strategies used in Taiwan for patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) have evolved from conventional interferon monotherapy, consensus interferon therapy, conventional interferon/ribavirinand to pegylated interferon/ribavirin combination therapy. In the past two decades, the sustained virological response (SVR) rate in Taiwanese patients improved from 6 to 75-90 %. By following genotype-guided therapy, an SVR rate of 75-80 % and 85-95 % could be achieved in Taiwanese patients with HCV-1 and HCV-2 infections, respectively. The study of HCV viral kinetics has facilitated studies in Taiwan regarding response-guided therapy with tailored regimens. The majority of Taiwanese patients can be treated successfully with pegylated interferon/ribavirin. The application of IL-28B genetic tests and the insight provided by the viral kinetics might aid in selecting the best candidates for treatment with direct antivirals in the near future in Taiwan. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.